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The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Nobu Hotel, Barcelona review
Often cited as the catalyst for the transformation of Barcelona's Sants neighbourhood, Nobu Barcelona sits amongst the vermouth bars and the homes of young, hip Barceloneses, offering a phenomenal restaurant, free yoga classes for guests, a spa and rooftop bar with nightly DJ sessions. Location Nobu Hotel, Barcelona is located in the residential area of Sants. While the neighbourhood might only be a 10-minute metro ride from the centre of the city, it wasn't always what you'd describe as cool. Its large railway station – the main terminus in the Catalonian capital – gave the location the vibe of an airport departure lounge: transient, liminal. That is, until Nobu arrived in 2019 and a switch-up ensued. Inarguably sleek, stylish and full of people you swear you recognise from Instagram, the luxury hotel 's arrival coincided with Sants' glow-up, which is now home to fashionable young Barceloneses, who've made the area their home thanks to its vermouth bars, community feel and easy access to transport links. Ideally located for nipping into central to see the main tourist attractions, or jumping on a train to escape the city and explore further afield areas like Sitges or Girona for a day trip, Sants is also home to a lively food market, as well as Parc l'Escorxador – where the Joan Miró sculpture Dona i Ocell looms. The vibe The hospitality group behind Nobu's hotels and restaurants views itself as 'place-makers,' actively selecting locations in areas they believe could use revitalisation. As such, the hotel is inside a former 1970s office block. To put it bluntly, it's ugly from the outside. But the entrance – inspired by a Japanese Shinto Temple gate – offers a zap of zen as soon as you step over the threshold. As you might expect, the hotel's interior design is heavy on Japanese influence mixed with artwork by Gaudí to give a nod to its host city. Throughout the 23-story building, the views over Barcelona are gorgeous and panoramic, with the city's highest rooftop pool and lounge perched on the top floor. 'Life's all about balance' is the hotel's ethos, so rooftop DJ sets take place mere hours after complimentary guest yoga classes. It's an undoubtedly fun place to grab a drink, even if you're not staying the night. Service The service here is attentive without being overly doting. Just as we're about to take a quick siesta before a night of partying, there's a gentle rap on the door: a bell hop, bringing us CBD patches, eye masks and sleep mist to ensure we get the best shut-eye we can before our night kicks off at midnight. Contrastingly, on arrival, we're handed warm flannels and herbal tea to shake off the stress of the outside world. Rave and recovery probably best sums up this fun wellness approach, with wait staff at the rooftop restaurant ready and eager to recommend the best cocktails and small plates to gorge on. Bed and Bath Nobu's rooms are minimalist and immaculate. Think crisp white sheets, a rain shower, double sinks, sliding doors, light tiling, and spacious baths in the Sake Suites. Everywhere you turn, the view is there, with huge windows drenching the room with light and exposing the beauty of Barcelona's cityscape. Amenities include a 65-inch TV, Bluetooth speakers, a Nespresso coffee machine and, of course, a traditional Japanese tea set. Food and drink The food at Nobu is phenomenal, with the main restaurant on the 23rd floor serving the group's famed black cod in miso dish. If you want to go for it, opt for the six-course menu which features tuna tataki with truffle Tosazu. Or, for a more casual option, nip down to the lobby-side restaurant Kozara, where healthy bites like grilled salmon and tuna poke bowls are on the menu. If you prefer to remain poolside, you could opt to have lunch at the Rooftop's terrace restaurant. Quite literally everything is delicious, but the grilled tuna skewers are especially so. Breakfast is a pretty straightforward buffet that is restocked quickly, even at peak times, with everything from fresh pastries to English fry-up classics. Facilities As Nobu is as serious about relaxation as it is about partying, it's no surprise their wellness facilities are a main feature of their Barcelona hotel. They say the Japanese philosophy of Shiawase – a celebration of happiness and wellbeing – is used to infuse moments of fitness and relaxation into details of your stay. This manifests itself in the Nobu Spa, in which there's a sauna, steam bath, and water circuit. In the gym, where workout equipment is available 24/7 and in the free yoga classes for guests. Or, if you're more private, the wellness classes are also available through the TV in your room. There is also free wifi running throughout the hotel. Disability access Ten wheelchair-friendly rooms with wheelchair-accessible bathrooms are available. Pet policy Pets are allowed, with the hotel providing special amenities, toys, beds and guides to the best dog friendly places in the city for canines. Dogs are, however, not allowed in the Nobu restaurant and a €50 (£42) per night charge will be added at check out. Check in check out Check-in at Nobu Hotel Barcelona is from 3pm, and check-out is at 12pm. Family friendly Nobu hotel is family friendly, offering colouring books to children at check-in and in the restaurants. They also offer a Nobu Family package, where they offer a special rate on a second connecting room for children. The only thing to note is children under 16 are not permitted to enter the hotel's spa facilities. At a glance Best thing: Unbelievable food and a fun atmosphere balanced out by a commitment to wellness. Worst thing: It is markedly further from tourist attractions than other hotels in the city. Right for: Anyone who likes sashimi and staying stress-free. Not right for: Those who want to wake up in walking distance to the Sagrada Familia. Instagram from: The rooftop with a cocktail in your hand.
Times
04-07-2025
- Times
Nobu Barcelona hotel review: a trendy pad with a spa near Sants station
The neighbourhood around Sants station, a five-minute metro ride from Placa d'Espanya, may not be the most romantic in Barcelona, but the area has more to it than meets the eye. As train travel gains pace, this working-class residential district away from the tourist track has started attracting more international visitors — not least since it welcomed a stylish Nobu hotel in 2019. The hotel is a glamorously renovated 1970s skyscraper that is home not only to the highest rooftop bar in Barcelona but also a superb Nobu restaurant with panoramic views, a sensuous Nobu spa and some of the city's dreamiest rooms with views. Like the majority of the guests, staff are young and hip, as well as helpful, generally, though service can be a bit hit and miss. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Score 9/10Nobu Barcelona may not have the most handsome exterior, but once you get over the drab, 1970s office-block façade you're in for a treat. Rooms on the higher floors have been blessed with the best views in town, whether they face the city, the sea, Placa d'Espanya or Mount Tibidabo. If you don't want to choose, book a corner or Sake suite. These 65 sq m sanctuaries, located from the 15th floor up, are filled with Japanese-inspired design details, from silky kimono-style robes to brushwork art pieces. If you're fortunate enough to have windows facing northeast, you can watch the sunrise from your bed, before enjoying a leisurely soak in the gorgeous, cedar-wood, onsen-style bath tub with the Sagrada Familia in the background. All bathrooms are tastefully finished in marble, with walk-in rainfall showers and luxurious toiletries. On the lower floors, the 30 sq m Deluxe and Deluxe City options mostly overlook the greyness of Sants station and the surrounding streets but present more affordable accommodation for business travellers or families who plan to not spend much time in their room. Score 8/10For most people the word 'Nobu' conjures images of the Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa's lip-smacking concoctions. If the idea of his toro tuna belly tartare with caviar or legendary miso-glazed black cod makes you go all googly eyed, you'll be delighted to learn that the crowning glories of Nobu Barcelona are the Nobu Restaurant, which occupies the 23rd floor, with cityscapes to match, and the Nobu Bar, serving bites and cocktails on the same floor. The breakfast buffet — a more standard affair with fruit, pastries, local cheese and charcuteries — and food from an à la carte menu including eggs made to order are also available here. One floor up, a simpler menu of tasty bites — such as salt-and-pepper squid, wagyu beef sliders and a life-altering spin on Caesar salad with truffle wasabi aioli — are served at the city's highest rooftop bar, where the only thing more mouthwatering than the food and cocktails are the 360-degree views that extend from the Sagrada Familia to Montjuic and down to the sea. Sip a Yukata — a spicy and refreshing blend of tequila, shisho, lime and ginger ale — as you gawk. • Best luxury hotels in Barcelona• Great family hotels in Barcelona Score 8/10Nobu's sun-drenched rooftop, with its photogenic plunge pool and knockout views, is a great spot to while away an afternoon. If you're lucky enough to snag a lounger, even better (note: these are in short supply). The rooftop also hosts regular events and parties featuring DJs that are open to guests and the public. The sensuous subterranean Nobu Spa has three treatment rooms offering an impressive range of treatments, including a Japanese silk massage, which involves a rice scrub and a hot-stone massage, and the Natura Bissé 3D Collagen Shock facial, designed to leave you with a youthful glow. There's also a sauna, steam bath and well-equipped but windowless gym. Guests can join complimentary weekly Swasthya yoga classes or reclaim their Zen with the Be Well at Nobu package, which includes spa experiences and wellness classes. Score 7/10While Sants may be a neighbourhood on the up, it's still not the most convenient base for exploring the beach, the old town or Gaudí's architecture. That said, this side of town has plenty of worthwhile attractions, ranging from the National Museum of Catalan Art and the Magic Fountain water and light shows at Placa d'Espanya to the Nou Camp football stadium, home of Barcelona FC (when it reopens in 2026 after renovation). There's a growing collection of trendy local restaurants around Placa del Centre and off Avenida de Madrid, including La Mundana, a popular contemporary tapas bar. Also worth a visit is the underrated Parc de l'Espanya Industrial, with its urban, post-industrial lake and sculptures. Price room-only doubles from £205Restaurant mains from £24Family-friendly YAccessible N Isabelle Kliger was a guest of Nobu Barcelona ( • Best restaurants in Barcelona• More great hotels in Barcelona
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch: Marek Zaprazny Rips Through the Streets of Barcelona in the Latest 'MOB First' Episode
Marek Zaprazny might not be from Barcelona, but he clearly knows his way around this skate-friendly city. Skateboarding in Barcelona is a beautiful thing and this clip will definitely have you itching to get out there sooner than later. Great spots. Great scene. Great food. Tag along with Marek and press play: From his local shop to his favorite warm-up plaza, the day starts out cool and calm. But it's Marek we're talking about here, so you know the session heats up quick. No ledge in that plaza is safe. And what would a session in Barcy be without a proper acai bowl to add some fuel to the day? The boxes are being checked. Advertisement 💻 Don't miss another headline from TransWorld SKATEboarding! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more quality skate content. 💻 Related: Sophisticated Tech: Marek Zaprazny's "FIELD" Part From there, Marek pulls up to (what once was) one of Barcelona's most iconic skate spots—Sants Plaza—that was unfortunately demolished earlier this year. But our guy makes use of the last remaining spot the plaza has to offer and secures a few clips in the meantime. (Tap the post below to learn more.) Related: Barcelona's Famous SANTS Skate Spot Demolished, Remodel Underway Marek ends the day at a dope little three block—a spot he hadn't skated yet—and proceeds to stack a few more clips while dodging pedestrians and playing kids. Actually, let's be real—he destroys the spot, rifling off trick after trick like it was a normal-sized three-stair. Advertisement All in all, it looked like a pretty successful day for Marek, if you ask me. And honestly, I like that this wasn't just your average tour of Barcelona skateboarding, you know? MACBA and all the iconic spots the city has to offer are great, but there's so much more to skate that many of us often don't get to see. Watch: Marek Zaprazny Rips Through the Streets of Barcelona in the Latest 'MOB First' Episode first appeared on Skateboarding on Jun 12, 2025
